Prince Harry, aka Captain Wales, Gets Ready to Return to Army Duty One Last Time—in Australia: All the Details!

30-year-old royal last visited the Land Down Under in 2013

By Corinne Heller Apr 02, 2015 2:00 AMTags
Prince Harry Don Arnold/WireImage

Prince Harry is getting ready to report for military duty one final time following more than a decade of service...way, way, way across the pond.

The 30-year-old royal, the younger brother of heir Prince William, is a former British Army Apache helicopter pilot who served two tours in Afghanistan and is known among his comrades as Captain Harry Wales. In a few days, he will traveling to Australia, where he will be embedded with several Australian Defense Force units and regiments in Sydney and other cities as an extension of his regular military duties before he retires from service in June.

Harry will travel to the Australian capital of Canberra for two speaking engagements, E! News has learned. He will also lay a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at the Australian War Memorial and also tour the World War I and Afghanistan Galleries.

Australia is a constitutional monarchy that recognizes his grandmother Queen Elizabeth II, 88, as its mostly ceremonial head of state who "acts entirely on the advice of Australian Government Ministers who are responsible to Parliament," according to her website.

Australian Defense Force Air Chief Marshal Mark Binskin said in a statement posted by ABC Australia that Harry's upcoming military attachment would provide the prince with an "opportunity to gain greater insight into our Army's domestic operating environment and capabilities," adding, "We have prepared a challenging program that will see Captain Wales deploy on urban and field training exercises, domestic deployments, as well as participate in Indigenous engagement activities."

The prince last visited Australia for an official visit in 2013. During his two-day trip, he attended the Royal Australian Navy's International Fleet Review on Sydney Harbor to commemorate the 100 year anniversary of the arrivals of the Royal Australian Navy's fleet.

Ryan Pierse-Pool/Getty Images

He also took a boat to Kirrbilli House, where Prime Minister Tony Abbott, his wife Margie and daughters Bridget and Frances greeted him.

Harry, whose full title is His Royal Highness Prince Henry of Wales, had last month announced his military trip and plans to leave the army. He did not specify a reason. His brother William also served in the British military. He left the Royal Air Force in 2013 to focus on his royal duties and charity work.

It is customary for male members of the royal family to serve in the military. And as you can see, Harry looked adorable in uniform from a very young age...

Tim Graham/Getty Images

After he is no longer part of the military, he will concentrate on other royal duties—in the summer, he is set to do volunteer work alongside field-based conservation experts in Africa and in the fall, he will work as a volunteer in the Ministry of Defense's Recovery Capability Program, "while actively considering other longer term employment opportunities," according to the British Monarchy. He will also continue his royal charity work.

Earlier this month, Harry met with wounded veterans he is set to join for part of a 1,000-mile charity trek.

Palace officials had said in January 2014 that he would quit his role as an Apache helicopter pilot after three years and take a staff officer position in London.